South Africa Travel Advice and Goodbye CSC

This may apply for more countries than South Africa

1. For most transactions outside of open markets (and even they have it), just use your credit card.  Pay for dinner for all, and then others can pay you in cash..no ATM.

2.  Always be in a group, I would never be alone if I can help it.  Be aware and be open.  Be Safe.  Walk on the streets is still a good thing, day time.   Have fun in the group

Book local trips after you arrive, The outsiders get a little price-gouged using an outside tourist agency.

Really get into the travel experience, you do not learn until you put your toe in the water....

2. Get a driver for transport, it is inexpensive, the tour guides are pretty great, again do it locally and not from your home country.

   

   Of course the guide showed us the sign after he led us here from the right.....

Use the safe provided in each hotel room..the fact that they have a safe should tell you something... I locked my passport, Most credit cards are also in a safe.

 If you happen to have alot of cash, stuff some in your shoe.  You will not worry about it when it is in your shoe.

Eat the food   

If dinner has worms in it, try it, then if you hate it...as I did, you can check it off your box and move to a new adventure

1. Go see things, chances are your hotel is in a nice secure place.  With help of Uber and the concierge go see things.  I would suggest to understand South Africa, go see Soweto and take a bicycle tour off the beaten path.

   

   A little pick up football/soccer in Soweto

2. Public gatherings you are a celebrity, like Soweto, my sheer anglo-saxon presence had people come up and talk to  you.  At times you are a celebrity.  Football (Soccer games), you will stick out, it is OK.  Just be aware.
   
3. If there is no meat, it is not a truly South African Meal.  Vegetarian meals do exist, but if you are having a South African meal it will have meat. 
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   examining the dinner

4. Politics and religion is on everyone's mind.  The other day I heard this quote on the US election.  "Before you vote for Trump, please remember the crazy driver telling you to not vote for him.."  That is a direct quote.  Everyone loves talking about the corruption in government and the fact that there are inefficiencies a lack of government sharing. 
   
   
5. There is racism in South Africa.  It is just more subversive.  My point is do not assume that all is well in South Africa.  You hear it in many conversations with people. Still you have to see the people where they are now not where you want them to be.    It is a sign of respect to listen, so rarely will you be interrupted and people respect it if you just listen to understand. 
   
6. South Africans are generally pretty outgoing, just an observation.  I see the young people as more individualistic.  Men love the handshakes.

   

   This is called "Shopp"  and this willb e held mid conversation

7. South African women are generally more reserved.  This could be that I am a man.
8. South Africans may use several languages in the same conversation to get their point across.
9.  See many things, do not confine yourself to one area, go to many differing locations and talk to the people.  
   
10. Bring loads of clothes, I packed a little too light and ended up doing laundry ALOT.
    
11. Yes I had my clothes cleaned offsite and it was often, I do not recommend using the hotel services the hotels likely overcharge for it.
12. Don't waste time in the mall.  Be outdoors
    

The last day I did some shopping, hot the Hotel Sauna, sat poolside and relaxed.  It was great
South Africa was great.
I appreciated the time spent and time in the country.  I learned so much in the month about the people, the customer and myself.
My flight home was uneventful, I sprawled out in the back of a near empty flight and rested quite well.